RFP 2026-009 Hotel Market Study and Feasibility Analysis

The City of Salem, Virginia is soliciting sealed proposals for consulting services to conduct a comprehensive Hotel Market Study and Feasibility Analysis, with proposals due July 17, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. and a questions deadline of July 1, 2026.

The scope encompasses community-wide market evaluation, demand analysis across corporate, group, leisure, event-driven, sports, government, medical, and institutional segments, facility and site recommendations for optimal hotel type and size, and financial feasibility projections covering five to ten years. Deliverables include a written report, executive summary, oral presentation, and supporting data files, with all final deliverables due within 120–150 days of notice to proceed.

Proposals must remain valid for ninety days following submission. The contract will be awarded for the period necessary to complete the study, with the City retaining the right to terminate without cause upon thirty days' written notice. Offerors must submit at least three references and three examples of similar completed projects.

Evaluation uses weighted criteria: Qualifications and Relevant Experience (30%), Technical Approach and Methodology (30%), Price Proposal (10%), Project Team Qualifications (10%), Project Schedule (10%), and References and Past Performance (10%). The fee proposal must itemize hours, billing rates, and anticipated reimbursable expenses.

Insurance requirements include Workers' Compensation (statutory), Commercial General Liability of $1 million per occurrence / $2 million general aggregate, Professional Liability of $1 million per claim / $2 million annual aggregate, and Excess/Umbrella Liability of $1 million per occurrence / $2 million general aggregate, with the City of Salem named as additional insured. All work products, reports, and analyses become the sole property of the City.

Proposals must be submitted by hand delivery, mail, or electronic submission through eVA (www.eva.virginia.gov); facsimile and email submissions are not accepted. The procurement contact is Benjamin K. Denton, Purchasing Manager, (540) 375-3063, bkdenton@salemva.gov. The RFP documents are available through the City of Salem Purchasing Department at 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153, via eVA, or at https://www.salemva.gov/Bids.aspx. This procurement may be used by other public bodies in accordance with Virginia Public Procurement Act provisions.